Walcott out of Englands Poland trip

13 October 2012 06:47

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Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier in Poland on Tuesday after sustaining a chest injury in the 5-0 win at home to San Marino, the Football Association announced on Saturday.

The Arsenal winger had to be substituted in the 10th minute of Friday's game after a spectacular collision with visiting goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini. He was later taken to hospital.

"Theo Walcott has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup qualifier with Poland on Tuesday with a chest injury," read a statement published on the FA website on Saturday.

"The Arsenal forward was taken to hospital following a collision with the San Marino goalkeeper on Friday night, he was monitored overnight as a precaution and following scan results today will return to his club for further treatment."

Simoncini played the ball before colliding with Walcott on the edge of the visitors' penalty area, but England manager Roy Hodgson strongly criticised the challenge and said the San Marino goalkeeper should have been sent off.

"If I was describing it as reckless, I would be being kind," he said. "It was a very fierce challenge.

"I don't think there was any malice but it was a very bad challenge. They were lucky it wasn't a penalty and he was lucky he wasn't sent off."

England's comfortable win at Wembley put them three points clear in Group H, although they have played a game more than both second-place Montenegro and third-place Poland, who are level on points.